Multi-color ink tank with elements enabling compatibility with a support structure for individual different color in tanks

ABSTRACT

A multi-color ink tank is adapted to replace individual different color ink tanks in a cavity of a given support structure. Elements on the body of the multi-color ink tank have configurations enabling compatibility with the support structure. The elements include empty opposite side portions of the body defining laterally spaced apart bottom openings that adapt the opposite side portions to seat in spaced slots in the cavity over keys therein and an intermediate central recessed region defined between the opposite side portions that adapts the body to straddle an intermediate slot between the spaced slots and a key therein and also straddle partitions in the cavity forming the slots. The elements also include tabs blocking some latches used to releasably lock some individual ink tanks to thereby identify the latch to be used to releasably lock the multi-color ink tank.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to inkjet printing systems and,more particularly, to a multi-color ink tank with elements enablingcompatibility with a support structure for individual different colorink tanks.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional inkjet printing system forms an image on a print mediumby ejecting ink from a plurality of ink jetting nozzles of an inkjetprinthead to form a pattern of ink dots on the print medium. Inkjetprinting is accomplished without contact between the printing system andthe print medium. Such printing system typically includes areceptacle-like support structure mounted to a reciprocating carrier ofthe printing system. The carrier support structure permanently or atleast semi-permanently mounts the inkjet printhead and also removablysupports one or more ink containers or tanks in which ink is stored andfrom which ink is supplied to the printhead. The ink tanks when seatedwithin the carrier support structure are engaged in a sealed inksupplying relationship with the printhead but may be removed andreplaced once the ink is fully consumed during the printing operation.

In one embodiment of such inkjet printing system, a plurality of, andmore particularly four, replaceable ink tanks are employed for supplyinga corresponding plurality of printheads. Each tank contains ink of adifferent color and is adapted to be seated in a different one ofmultiple slots defined in the carrier support structure. Typically, thedifferent colors are black (or mono), yellow, cyan and magenta. Thereare ribs or partitions in the carrier support structure separating thedifferent slots from one another. Also, there are different keys in theslots adapting a given slot to receive and seat only a given one of thedifferent color ink tanks. If the wrong color ink tanks are inserted inthe wrong slots, cross-contamination of printheads can result. Inanother embodiment, there are two ink tanks employed in a differentcarrier support structure, one tank containing black ink and the othertank a multi-color, and more particularly a tricolor, ink tank havingmultiple, and more particularly three, separated interior spaces orcompartments holding the other different color inks.

It would be desirable to be able to seat either the set of individualdifferent color ink tanks or the one multi-color ink tankinterchangeably in the respective slots of the same carrier supportstructure. This would decrease costs by reducing the number of differentconfigurations of carrier support structures and/or ink tanks requiredfor different printing systems.

The carrier support structure for seating the individual different colorink tanks also typically employs a latch for each different ink tankwhich releasably locks with a lip on the ink tank when the tank isseated within its respective slot in the carrier support structure. Thelatch is color coded to make it easier for a user to be able to insertthe correct colored ink tank into the correct slot. If both theindividual different color ink tanks and a single multi-color ink tankare to be made compatible with the same carrier support structure, itwould be desirable to make it simple for users to select which one ofdifferent color coded individual latches is the correct one to actuateto unlock the multi-color ink tank for facilitating its easy removal andreplacement.

Thus, there is a need for an innovation that will enable compatibilityof the set of individual different color ink tanks and the multi-colorink tank with the same carrier support structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets this need by providing an innovation thatinvolves incorporation of certain elements on the body of themulti-color, and more particularly tricolor, ink tank which enables itto be compatible with the presence of ribs or partitions forming, andkeys in, the slots of the given carrier support structure. The ribs orpartitions were originally provided to form the slots in the supportstructure and the keys were originally provided to ensure the insertionof the correct individual colored ink tanks into the correct slots inthe support structure. The multi-color ink tank now also inserts intothe given support structure originally meant to support the individualdifferent color ink tanks. Also, certain other elements now incorporatedon the body permits the tricolor ink tank to identify which one of theexisting latches of the support structure is to be actuated to removethe tricolor ink tank from the support structure.

Accordingly, in an aspect of the present invention, a multi-color inktank includes a body, a plurality of separate compartments formed in thebody for containing respectively therein different colors of inkcorresponding to different colors of ink contained in a plurality ofindividual ink tanks that seat in a housing cavity of a given supportstructure, and a plurality of elements formed on the body withconfigurations enabling compatibility with the given support structureby adapting the body to releasably seat in the housing cavity of thegiven support structure in place of the plurality of individualdifferent color ink tanks.

In further aspect of the present invention, the plurality of elements onthe body comprise opposite side portions of the body at one end thereofhaving configurations that adapt the body to seat in the housing cavityin place of the plurality of individual different color ink tanks. Theopposite side portions of the body have protuberances thereon projectingthrough at least some of a plurality of openings in the housing of thegiven support structure at a first end thereof when the body is seatedin the housing cavity in place of the individual different color inktanks. The plurality of elements on the body further comprise tabsmounted on the body at an opposite end thereof so as to at leastpartially block most of a plurality of latches mounted on a second endof the given support structure opposite the first end thereof and leaveunblocked and thereby identify the one of the latches to be used incooperation with the protuberances on the opposite side portions of thebody to releasably lock the body seated in the housing cavity in placeof the individual different color ink tanks. The plurality of elementsalso takes the form of a lower intermediate central recessed regionbetween the opposite side portions of the body adapting the oppositeside portions to seat in spaced slots in the housing cavity and adaptingthe body at the lower intermediate central recessed region to straddlean intermediate slot between the spaced slots in the housing cavity andalso straddle partitions in the housing cavity forming the slotstherein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink tank system showing a carriersupport structure with a plurality of individual different color inktanks installed therein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carrier support structure of the inktank system of FIG. 1 without the individual different color ink tanks.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the individualdifferent color ink tanks of the ink tank system taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an ink tank system with a multi-colorink tank in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an inverted perspective view of the multi-color ink tank ofthe ink tank system of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink tank system takenalong line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allembodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Like numerals refer to like elements throughout the views.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there isillustrated an ink tank system, generally designated 10, which includesa receptacle-like carrier support structure 12 and a mono color ink tank14 and a plurality of individual different color ink tanks 16, 18, 20installed in the support structure 12. It is by way of example, and notas a limitation, that in the illustrated embodiment there are fourindividual different color ink tanks 14-20. Also, by way of example, andnot as a limitation, the one individual ink tank 14 holds a black (ormono) color ink; and the plurality of other individual ink tanks 16-20hold yellow, cyan and magenta colors of ink. The black color ink tank 14is larger than the other color ink tanks 16-20 so that it can hold alarger quantity of black ink, as most users use more black ink thanother ink colors. Ink tanks 14-20 holding other combinations of inkcolors may be employed within the scope of the present invention.However, the combination of ink colors in the tanks 14-20 in theillustrated embodiment is one that is widely used.

Referring to FIG. 2, the support structure 12 is shown without the inktanks 14-20. The support structure 12 is typically mounted to areciprocating carriage or carrier (not shown) of a printing system. Thesupport structure 12 permanently or at least semi-permanently mounts theone or more inkjet printheads 22, as seen FIG. 6, in addition toremovably supporting the ink tanks 14-20, as seen in FIG. 1, in whichink is stored and from which ink is supplied to the printheads 22through interfittable orifices 24, 25, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 6. The inktanks 14-20 when seated within the support structure 12 are engaged in asealed ink supplying relationship with the printheads 22 but may beremoved and replaced once the ink is fully consumed during the printingoperation.

More particularly, as best seen in FIG. 2, the support structure 12 hasa housing 26 defining a cavity 28 therein extending between front andrear ends 30, 32 thereof. There is a plurality of ribs or partitions 34formed on the housing 26 and disposed upright in the cavity 28 so as todefine and separate a plurality of different slots 36, 38, 40, 42 fromone another in the cavity 28. Also, there is a plurality of differentkeys 44, 46, 48, 50 formed on the housing 26 and disposed upright in therespective slots 36-42 in the cavity 28 which adapts a given one of theslots 36-42 to receive and seat only a given one of the different colorink tanks 14-20, as seen in FIG. 1. The keys 44-50 thus are provided toprevent the wrong ink tank 14-20 from being inserted into the wrong slot36-42 which would cause cross-contamination of the printheads 22.

Referring to FIG. 3, the internal configuration of each of the ink tanks14-20 is depicted spanning from a front end 52 to a rear end 54 thereof.Each ink tank 14-20 has a lower recess 56 adapted to receive andaccommodate a respective one of the keys 44-50 associated with thatparticular one of the ink tanks 14-20. Also, a foot-like protuberance 58protrudes from the lower edge portion 54 a of the rear end 54 of each ofthe ink tanks 14-20 through one opening 60 in a row of side-by-sideopenings 60 across the lower rear end 32 of the support structure 12.Also, the support structure 12 for releasably locking the individualdifferent color ink tanks 14-20 in the slots 36-42 of the housing cavity28 typically employs a plurality of resiliently yieldable or deflectablelatches 62, 64, 66, 68, each for a different one of the ink tanks 14-20.Each of the latches 62-68, in cooperation with the foot-likeprotuberance 58 on the lower rear end 54 of a respective one of the inktanks 14-20 and when releasably engaged or snap fitted with a lip 70 onthe upper front end 52 of the respective one of the ink tanks 14-20 andalso against the force of a spring 72 when the latter is compressedbetween the housing 26 and the respective one of the ink tanks 14-20,releasably locks the respective one of the tanks 14-20 in a seatedposition within its respective one of the slots 36-42 in the supportstructure 12. The deflectable latches 62-68 are color coded on theirfaces 62 a-68 a to make it easier for a user to be able to select thecorrect latch 62-68 and deflect it forwardly to enable insertion orremoval of the correct color ink tank 14-20 into and from the correctslot 36-42.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, there is illustrated a single multi-color,or more particularly a tricolor, ink tank 74 of the present invention.The multi-color ink tank 74 includes a body 76 and a plurality ofseparate compartments 78, 80, 82 for containing respectively therein thedifferent colors of ink, namely, yellow, cyan and magenta colors,corresponding to the same different colors of ink contained in theplurality of individual different color ink tanks 16-20. In accordancewith the present invention, the body 76 of the multi-color ink tank 74also includes a plurality of elements, generally designated 84, formedthereon enabling compatibility with the carrier support structure 12 byadapted the body 76 to releasably seat in the housing cavity 28 of thesupport structure 12 in place of the plurality of individual differentcolor ink tanks 16-20. The one black or mono color ink tank 14 is notaffected; it remains installed in its one slot 36 in the housing cavity28 regardless of whether the plurality of individual different color inktanks 16-20 or multi-color ink tank 74 are installed in the supportstructure 12.

More particularly, some of the plurality of elements 84 on the body 76of the multi-color ink tank 74 are in the form of the opposite sideportions 86, 88 of the body 76 at the rear end 90 thereof whoseconfiguration adapts the body 76 to seat in the slots 38 and 42 in thehousing cavity 28 in place of the plurality of individual differentcolor ink tanks 16-20. The opposite side portions 86, 88 of the body 76have respective protuberances 92, 94 thereon projecting through at leastsome, namely two, of the plurality of openings 60 in the lower rear end32 of the housing 26 of the support structure 12 when the body 76 of themulti-color ink tank 74 is seated in the housing cavity 28 in place ofthe plurality of individual different color ink tanks 16-20. Theopposite side portions 86, 88 of the body 76 also are empty and havebottom openings 86 a, 88 a to accommodate projection therein of the keys46, 50 mounted on the housing 26 in the slots 38, 42.

Additionally, another of the plurality of elements 84 on the body 76 ofthe multi-color ink tank 74 takes the form of the lower intermediatecentral recessed region 96 between the opposite side portions 86, 88 ofthe body 76 whose configuration adapts the opposite side portions 86, 88to seat in the spaced slots 38, 42 in the housing cavity 28 and adaptsthe portion of the body 76 immediately above the lower intermediatecentral recessed region 96 to straddle the intermediate slot 40 betweenthe spaced slots 38, 42 in the housing cavity 28 and also straddle thepartitions 34 in the housing cavity 28 forming the slots 38, 40, 42therein. Also, the recessed region 96 accommodates the projectiontherein of the key 48 mounted on the housing 26 in the intermediate slot40.

Finally, still others of the plurality of elements 84 on the body 76 ofthe multi-color ink tank 74 take the form of spaced apart tabs 98, 100mounted on the body 76 at the opposite front end 102 thereof. The tabs98, 100 at least partially block most of the color coded faces 64 a, 68a on the latches 64, 68 mounted on the front end 30 of the given supportstructure 12. The spaced apart relationship of the tabs 98, 100 leaveunblocked enough of the color coded faces 64 a, 68 a on the latches 64,68 which are not used to release the multi-color ink tank 74 andentirely unblocked all of the color coded face 66 a of the center onelatch 66 to make it easy for a user to thereby identify the latch 66 asthe one to be used, by being deflected forwardly away from the ink tank74, to release the ink tank 74. The latch 66 when left undeflected will,in cooperation with the protuberances 92, 94 on the opposite sideportions 86, 88 of the body 76 and the snap-fitted lip 104 on the upperfront edge 76 a of the body 76 and against the compressed springs 72,releasably lock the body 76 of the multi-color ink tank 74 seated in theslots 38-42 of the housing cavity 29 in place of the plurality ofindividual different color ink tanks 16-20.

The foregoing description of several embodiments of the invention hasbeen presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, andobviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of theabove teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention bedefined by the claims appended hereto.

1. A multi-color ink tank, comprises: a body; a plurality of separatecompartments formed in said body for containing respectively thereindifferent colors of ink corresponding to different colors of inkcontained in a plurality of individual ink tanks that seat in a housingcavity of a given support structure; and a plurality of elements formedon said body with configurations enabling compatibility with the givensupport structure by adapting said body to releasably seat in thehousing cavity of the given support structure in place of the pluralityof individual different color ink tanks, wherein said plurality ofelements on said body comprise opposite side portions of said body atone end thereof and a lower intermediate central recessed region betweensaid opposite side portions adapting said opposite side portions to seatin spaced slots in the housing cavity and said body at said lowerintermediate central recessed region to straddle an intermediate slotbetween the spaced slots in the housing cavity and also straddlepartitions in the housing cavity forming the slots therein.
 2. The tankof claim 1 wherein said opposite side portions of said body haveprotuberances thereon projecting through at least some of a plurality ofopenings in the housing of the given support structure at a first endthereof when said body is seated in the housing cavity in place of theindividual different color ink tanks.
 3. The tank of claim 2 whereinsaid plurality of elements on said body further comprise tabs mounted onsaid body at an opposite end thereof so as to at least partially blockmost of a plurality of latches mounted on a second end of the givensupport structure opposite the first end thereof and leave unblocked andthereby identify the one of said latches to be used in cooperation withsaid protuberances on said opposite side portions of said body toreleasably lock said body seated in the housing cavity in place of theindividual different color ink tanks.
 4. A multi-color ink tank,comprises: a body; a plurality of separate compartments formed in saidbody for containing respectively therein different colors of inkcorresponding to different colors of ink contained in a plurality ofindividual ink tanks that seat in a housing cavity of a given supportstructure; and a plurality of elements formed on said body withconfigurations enabling compatibility with the given support structureby adapting said body to releasably seat in the housing cavity of thegiven support structure in place of the plurality of individualdifferent color ink tanks, wherein said plurality of elements on saidbody comprise empty opposite side portions of said body at one endthereof defining bottom openings and a lower intermediate centralrecessed region between said opposite side portions adapting saidopposite side portions to seat in spaced slots in the housing cavity andoverlie keys in the spaced slots and said body at said lowerintermediate central recessed region to straddle an intermediate slotbetween the spaced slots and also straddle a key in the intermediateslot and partitions in the housing cavity forming the slots.
 5. The tankof claim 4 wherein said empty opposite side portions of said body haveprotuberances thereon projecting through at least some of a plurality ofopenings in the housing of the given support structure at a first endthereof when said body is seated in the housing cavity in place of theindividual different color ink tanks.
 6. The tank of claim 5 whereinsaid plurality of elements on said body further comprise tabs mounted onsaid body at an opposite end thereof so as to at least partially blockmost of a plurality of latches mounted on a second end of the givensupport structure opposite the first end thereof and leave unblocked andthereby identify the one of said latches to be used in cooperation withsaid protuberances on said empty opposite side portions of said body toreleasably lock said body seated in the housing cavity in place of theindividual different color ink tanks.
 7. The tank of claim 4 whereinsaid body has protuberances thereon projecting through at least some ofa plurality of openings in the housing of the given support structure ata first end thereof when said body is seated in the housing cavity inplace of the individual different color ink tanks.
 8. The tank of claim7 wherein said plurality of elements on said body comprise tabs mountedon said body so as to at least partially block most of a plurality oflatches mounted on a second end of the given support structure oppositethe first end thereof and leave unblocked and thereby identify the oneof said latches to be used to releasably lock said body seated in thehousing cavity in place of the individual different color ink tanks. 9.A multi-color ink tank configured to be removably inserted into an inkjet printer, the printer having a support structure having a housingthat defines a cavity for seating a plurality of individual color inktanks, the multi-color ink tank, comprising: a body; a plurality ofseparate compartments formed in said body for containing respectivelytherein different colors of ink corresponding to different colors of inkcontained in a plurality of individual ink tanks that seat in saidcavity of said housing, and a plurality of elements formed on one ofsaid housing or said body enabling compatibility between said supportstructure and said body adapting said body to seat in said cavity ofsaid housing of said support structure in place of the plurality ofindividual different color ink tanks, wherein said support structurealso has a plurality of partitions mounted on said housing in laterallyspaced apart relationship to one another in said cavity of said housingto form a plurality of slots in said cavity of said housing betweenadjacent ones of said partitions in which to seat the plurality ofindividual different color ink tanks and wherein said plurality ofelements on said body comprise opposite side portions of said body atone end thereof defining laterally spaced apart bottom openings adaptingsaid opposite side portions to seat in spaced ones of said slots and alower intermediate central recessed region defined between said oppositeside portions adapting said body to straddle an intermediate one of saidslots between said spaced slots and also straddle said partitions insaid housing cavity forming said slots.
 10. The tank of claim 9, whereinsaid support structure further has keys mounted on said housing andextending upright in said slots in said housing cavity so as to ensurecorrect seating of the individual different color ink tanks in saidslots.
 11. The tank of claim 9 wherein said support structure at a firstend has a plurality of openings formed in said housing side-by-side oneanother and communicating with said cavity of said housing such that aprotuberance on each of the individual different color ink tanks isadapted to extend through one of said openings when the individualdifferent color ink tanks are seated in said cavity of said housing. 12.The tank of claim 11, wherein said opposite side portions of said bodyhave protuberances thereon projecting through at least some of saidopenings in said housing at said first end thereof when said body isseated in said cavity of said housing in place of the individualdifferent color ink tanks.
 13. The tank of claim 12 wherein said supportstructure at a second end opposite said first end thereof has aplurality of latches mounted on said housing, each of said latches incooperation with said protuberance on one of the individual differentcolor ink tanks releasably locking the one of the individual differentcolor ink tanks in said cavity of said housing when the individualdifferent color ink tanks are seated in said cavity of said housing. 14.The tank of claim 13, wherein said plurality of elements on said bodycomprise tabs mounted on said body at an opposite end thereof so as toat least partially block most of said latches and leave unblocked andthereby identify the one of said latches to be used to releasably locksaid body in said cavity of said housing in place of the individualdifferent color ink tanks.